Archive: 25th September 2015

Today I officially opened St Colmcille’s National School in Knocklyon, Dublin 16. The state-of-the-art school serves 1,600 pupils and employs 80 teachers, 23 special needs assistants and 11 ancillary staff.

I want to start by acknowledging the critical part that Irish business has performed – and continues to perform – in the sustainable recovery that our country is now experiencing.

In doing so, I also want to share some thoughts about the relationship between business – particularly SMEs – and the State. Because I believe that our continued economic success depends, in large part, on the Government supporting and driving innovation throughout the economy. This is in addition to its traditional role of providing the environment, infrastructure and public services that businesses need if they are to enjoy sustained success.

As Minister for Energy, I welcome Bord Gáis Energy’s (BGE) announcement that it is to reduce its residential gas unit rate by 2.5%, and its electricity unit rate by 2%, from 1st October 2015. BGE estimates that the price reductions will reduce annual domestic energy bills by €44.59, or by nearly €100 when added to earlier BGE price cuts.

Dublin South TD Alex White has welcomed this week’s official opening of Mount Carmel Community Hospital in Churchtown. The hospital, which currently employs 60 staff, has been redeveloped as a dedicated community hospital for the Dublin area after the HSE bought it for €11 million in April 2014.